Washington (CNN) - It appears the controversies New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's dealing with back in the Garden State haven't affected his standing as one of the GOP's most potent fundraising rainmakers.

As Christie convenes two days of Republican Governors Association meetings here in the nation's capital Friday and Saturday, an RGA official tells CNN that the group has raised $18 million since Christie took over as RGA chairman in late November. That's a new fundraising record for the first three months of a new RGA chairman's tenure. The previous record holder was then-Mississippi Gov. Haley Barber, who chaired the RGA from June 2009 through the end of 2010.Follow @politicaltickerFollow @psteinhausercnn

Christie's chairmanship of the RGA was seen as a possible stepping stone to a potential 2016 bid for the GOP presidential nomination. But six weeks into his tenure as RGA chairman, the bridge controversy went viral. State lawmakers and the U.S. Attorney's Office are looking into allegations that top Christie appointees orchestrated traffic jams last September by closing access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee to politically punish that town's mayor for not endorsing the governor's re-election.

Christie has denied knowing anything about the gridlock until after it occurred, and has said he knew nothing about any political mischief by members of his administration. He's also facing allegations by the Democratic mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, that members of his administration held Superstorm Sandy recovery funds hostage in exchange for approval of a real estate development project in that city.

The Friday meeting of the RGA executive committee and the wider event Saturday including all the attending Republican governors marks the first time Christie will meet with his peers since the multiple controversies shook his political future.

But the $18 million in RGA fundraising should allay any concerns by any of the other governors.

"Christie remains popular among Republicans, many of whom see the attacks on him as partisan efforts to destroy a popular GOPer. That's why he remains a formidable fundraiser for the RGA and an asset to his party," Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report, told CNN.

Republicans are defending 22 of the 36 gubernatorial seats up for grabs this November.

soundoff(114 Responses)

nikosan

He is a pedophile and tried to get with my 15 yo relative.

February 21, 2014 02:11 pm at 2:11 pm |

wakeup

He is doing the same tactics as Obama. Either he seriously DIDN'T know, or he did. If you had no issues with Obama saying that – than there should be NO issues with Christie (and vise versa). Otherwise it's a wait and see after investigations.

February 21, 2014 02:11 pm at 2:11 pm |

Willllburrrr

The 'Low Standards Party' will always fill the coffers of their 'golden boys'. Their standards are so low it's actually embarrassing to live in the same nation as them.

February 21, 2014 02:16 pm at 2:16 pm |

Tim

He's followig in Bush's footsteps quite precisely.

February 21, 2014 02:19 pm at 2:19 pm |

ART

Rafael and Ted Cruz were sent here to destroy America from within. They are both foreing agents

February 21, 2014 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

veep

If you don't believe TrafficStudyGate was how things work in Christie-World, you are being dishonest to yourself and your community.
If this hadn't leaked out, that woman was attempting to earn a Merit Badge.

February 21, 2014 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

veep

Steve miller

"Listen to all the liberal name-calling....and Ted Nugent apologizes? Who's the 'better man'."

You don't actually still believe it's Mr. Nugent, do You?!

February 21, 2014 02:25 pm at 2:25 pm |

Common Sense

Benghazi, IRS hoods, NSA, Obamacare nightmare- yet we're supposed to get all twisted up about a frikkin bridge closure..............Compared to the imbecile in the white house, Christie looks like Mr. Clean.....

Our first Mafia Soprano bully President and his moto is his staff did it or the Feds and he knows nothing. At lease Christie is not shy about being a racist and his 1994 Jersey win by lying proved people really don't know any better. Now the victims of Sandy are even giving Christie donations to his criminal legal fund for the crimes of not helping them with the Sandy funding. But Americans do think George W. Bush was better President bring two Wars, Recession, Crimes from 2001-2009, housing collapse, Stock Market Crash, thousands of soldiers died based on lies and continued exposed crimes. Rather Obama who is doing his best alone to clean up the mess.

Rudy: Where were you last year when Trump and birther's were ranting about Obama being born in Kenya to an American mother and African father? Same relationship, only Obama was 1/2 black and Cruz is 1/2 Cuban. Cruz is not an American citizen. Being born on foreign land of American parent's gives you dual citizenship and an obligation in some countries to serve in their military. What's even funnier is Cruz is the best the GOP can dig up as a potential candidate. Geez, you guys are in trouble. Hillary all the way.

February 21, 2014 02:44 pm at 2:44 pm |

Common Sense

Obama is cleaning up Bushs' mess.....I don't have the words to say to express the idiocy with which that moronic comment was made....Please tell me, in English I can understand, when does it start being Obama's presidency??????????